A Basildon mother remains missing with her three-year-old son, despite the child's father lodging a desperate appeal for his return through the High Court.

During a hearing at the High Court on Wednesday (December 19), Mr Justice Williams took the exceptional step of making three-year-old Olly a "ward of court", which means the court are now directly responsible for his welfare.

He said he had "grave concerns" for Olly Sheridan, who has been missing from Basildon, Essex, with his mother since July.

It is reported that Olly's mother Ellie Yarrow-Sanders, 26, disappeared shortly before she was due to give evidence at a "critical" court hearing in Chelmsford.

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"Ellie has taken matters into her own hands and has been in breach of court orders for months.

“When a parent takes their child away without the permission of the other parent, it is a very serious matter."

However, Ellie's sister Maddie Yarrow shared a status on Facebook back in July explaining that there were two sides to the story.